Page 113 of Changing Rules

When the DJ transitions to a new song, I put a hand on her waist and pull her closer, my fingers skimming over her dress to the small of her back. Eyes blazing, she places her hand on my chest.

We dance, our bodies moving as one. My skin vibrates; my heart pounds in my ears. I grip her hip and guide her to turn around so her back is flush with my chest. I wrap my arm around her waist from behind, splaying my hand over her stomach.

Every sway of her hips makes me lose my goddamn mind, and when she grinds her ass over my groin, my vision goes hazy. I’m losing myself in her again, and fuck, if I didn’t miss it. My breath ragged, I slide my hands to her hips and bring my mouth to her ear.

She instantly goes stiff.

“Everyone’s staring,” she says.

Pulled from my stupor, I look up. Sure enough, there’s a group of guys on our left gaping at us. My hackles rise.Fuck.

“I…I need a moment.” She pulls away and weaves through the crowd without looking back.

I hesitate for a moment. I want to give her space, but…I’ve been to way too many parties to let her take off on her own. She might be pissed if I follow her, but I care too much about her safety to be concerned about that.

She’s only feet from the door when I gently catch her by the elbow. “Wait.”

She spins, eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a straight line.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

She sags and lets out a sigh. “I’m fine. Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“This.” She waves a hand between us. “Showing up at my house, bringing me flowers, coming here?—”

“Because I love you.” The words are out before I can consider their consequence, but I don’t want to take them back. “I’m here because I love you.”

Heart in my throat, I watch her. I clock the heat in her eyes, the fear and indecision that follow it.

Finally, she takes a deep breath. “I want to go home.”

It’s like a physical blow, but I hide the pain.

Keeping my expression soft, I slip my hands in my pockets. “Let me drive you, please. I want you to be safe.”

She focuses on something over my shoulder, then nods. “Okay.”

I take a step back, let her walk past me, then follow her back to our table. All the while, thoughts swirl in my head. I told her I loved her, and all I got was silence in return. It’s like she ripped my heart out of my chest and cut it into a thousand pieces.

“Is everything alright?” Meg asks as Bella approaches.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She picks up a small black bag, along with a black leather jacket. “I just want to go home.”

“Already?” Jess frowns. She sits beside Josh, who’s sitting with his legs spread, his arm draped over the back of the couch.

“Yeah. I have a ton of work to do in the morning.” She gives Meg a brief hug and plants a kiss on Jess’s cheek before waving at Josh and Marco. “See you.”

I wave to our friends, then follow her like a shadow in suffocating silence. As we walk to the car, she keeps her distance, and I don’t dare touch her.

I point to where I parked and clear my throat. “This way.”

Two minutes later, I shift in the driver’s seat and look at her. “Bella, I?—”

“Please,” she whispers, “don’t call me that.”

“But I?—”

---